Last week flu infection rates doubled in Latvia, according to flu, Covid-19 and other acute upper respiratory diseases monitoring data.
Various family doctor practices in Latvia reported receiving 814 patients with symptoms of acute upper respiratory infections. 111 of those patients were diagnosed with flu. There were 56 such patients a week prior.
Infection cases were registered in Ventspils (576.6 cases per 100 000 residents), Daugavpils (221.8 per 100 000 residents), Riga (188.0 per 100 000 residents), Jelgava (98.6 per 100 000 residents), Gulbene (62.1 per 100 000 residents), Jūrmala (49.7 per 100 000 residents) and Jēkabpils (46.6 per 100 00 residents).
Infection rates were the highest last week in the five to 14 years age group.
21 flu infection cases were confirmed last week. In 19 cases A-type flu was found. B-type flu was found in two cases.
Disease Prevention and Control Centre (SPKC) notes that a significant surge of upper respiratory infections in primary healthcare is observed in many EU and Eurozone member states. EU and Eurozone member states report higher than usual flu activity.
The average proportion of positive flu tests in EU/Eurozone member states is the highest this season – 26%. A week prior it was 24%.
In Latvia, meanwhile, there is a slight drop in the number of Covid-19 cases – 112 infection cases were confirmed (138 a week prior). A total of 777 laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2 virus were performed. However, there was a slight increase in the number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients – from 106 to 118.
SPKC notes that Covid-19 and flu infection often cause exacerbation of chronic infections.
To reduce the risk of severe infection, hospitalisation and even lethal outcome, it is recommended for residents to vaccinate for seasonal flu and Covid-19. It is especially recommended to residents in risk groups.
SPKC warns that high Covid-19 infection rates will likely remain until the end of spring. Vaccination can help protect against severe infection. SPKC stresses vaccines against Covid-19 and flu are safe and do not put people’s health at risk even if vaccination is performed on a person already infected with one of these infections.
Vaccination against Covid-19 this year is done using adapted Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 and Novavax vaccine Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5.
The flu epidemic started in Latvia on the 12th of January.
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